The nanotechnology development headquarter announced the initiation of registration in the first stage of challenge of “Creation of Self-cleansing and Antistatic Properties in Solar Panels”.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, along with holding nanotechnology and innovation challenges with the aim of development of solutions to solve industrial problems and eliminate technological needs of the country, the 17^th round of nanotechnology and innovation challenges in the form of iChallenge.

The challenge of “Creation of Self-cleansing and Antistatic Properties in Solar Panels” will be held by the working group of industry and market of nanotechnology development headquarter and with the cooperation of Novin Tisfoun Co. with the aim of development of scientific strategies based on nanotechnology for creating self-cleansing and antistatic properties in solar panels inside the country.

Today, the use of solar power plants as one of the main sources of energy production from different countries has been considered and investments in this area are expanding. One of the challenges in using solar cells, especially in power plants, is the problem of surface contamination due to various sources such as dust, which reduces their efficiency.

These covers prevent the formation of pressured layers of mass, stain and dust at the surface of solar panels and eliminate the need for washing of panels in short intervals. On the other hand, there is no need for use of strong cleaners for cleaning the surface of panels.

According to the announcement of secretary of nanotechnology and innovation challenges, the registration process for the first stage of the challenge will continue to February 19^th 2019. Knowledge-based companies, students and faculty members of universities and research centers and other researchers and technologies who are eager to participate in the challenge can send their primary conceptual plan to the secretary of the challenge on the website of ichallenge.ir.

The projects received will be evaluated by judges and the top companies (individuals or groups) can move on to the second stage. In the second phase, up to 50 million rials support facilities, including cash assistance and credits to use the services of nanotechnology laboratory network to the selected individuals.

The final winner of the challenge will receive a prize of 200 million rials and support facilities from the nanotechnology development headquarter for commercialization of their project, and will have an opportunity to cooperate with Novin Tisfoun Co. in the development of technology and commercialization of projects to mass production.

For more information about the challenge (registration, how to send solutions, prizes), please refer to the website of www.ichallenge.ir.